Negros encounter: 1 suspected terrorist killed, 4 others captured

CEBU, Philippines — A suspected rebel was killed One while four others were captured i during an encounter between the military personnel and alleged members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Police Lt. Colonel Roland Desiree Lavisto, Guihulngan City Police Station chief, said that at around 8:15 p.m. of January 15, 2022, they received a call for assistance from the 62nd Infantry Battalion when they allegedly caught in an encounter with the suspected members of the CTG in Barangay Sandayao.

In their report, there were at least 12 suspected CTGs while the encounter lasted for five minutes.

The encounter resulted in the death of a certain Arnold Suerte, in his late 20s, a resident of Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City.

Four others were captured, including two minors. The two others were identified as certain Wendel Julian Avila, 22, and Ree-Chie Acabo, 22.

Avila and the other minor were reportedly injured and are still undergoing treatment in a hospital while Acabo is now under the custody of the Guihulngan police, according to Lavisto.

Pieces of evidence recovered were one steel magazine containing 23 pieces of 9mm live ammunition, a .45 caliber firearm, and 37 pieces of assorted live ammunition of different firearms.

"Motabang ta nila (military) sa legal matters, mo file to lodge a complaint against sa mga suspected members sa CTG," according to Lavisto.

The two rescued minors were already turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while the other two will face the charges of attempted homicide and the violation of the enforcement of the election gun ban.

Meanwhile, Major Israel Galorio, information officer of the Visayas Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that there are still reports that minors were being recruited as potential members of the CTG.

"Hindi ko masabing minimal eh kasi marami talagang reports na may nga minors na silang nire-recruit. Then itong mga minors na na-rescue natin, although hindi ganun kalaki yung figures, however, this is a manifestation na talagang totoo yung report sa atin na nagre-recruit talaga sila ng mga minors, especially doon sa mga rural areas," he said.

"Pabagsak na po talaga yung NPA dito sa Visayas and we are exactly right from our timeline na tapusin yung communist terrorist dito at the end of the current administration ma-eradicate natin yung NPA dito sa Visayas," he added. — GMR (FREEMAN)